January 19 - 2023

Province addresses Mayor Goetz’s decriminalization comments

tion and a statement regarding Goetz’s thoughts on the upcoming exemption.

Goetz said he believes the move to decriminalize is a bad one, and he believes it won’t address toxic drug deaths in the province, but will put the public at risk. The exemption will apply to British Columbians 18 years of age and older, allowing them to possess up to a cumulative 2.5 grams of cocaine, opioids, methamphetamine and MDMA within the province without criminal charge, a move which the province hopes will directly address and reduce the stigma around addiction.

“Drug use is a public health matter –not a criminal justice one. Criminalization drives people to hide their drug use and often use alone. Given the increasingly toxic drug supply – using alone can be fatal,” said Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside in a statement to the Herald.

ants, and will provide resource cards with information about health and social supports, and local treatment and recovery options to those using in public spaces, if requested.

The province also added that decriminalization is not legalization, as police will continue to target drug trafficking. The exemption, which lasts from January 31, 2023 to January 31, 2026, only means individuals possessing under 2.5 grams of certain illicit substances for personal use won’t face criminal charges or have their drugs confiscated. Local governments will still have the authority to pass bylaws addressing substance use in public places. The province hopes to address the increasing toxicity of the drug supply by expanding a number of services, along with the exemption.

Jan. 19: Partly Cloudy 2°/-6°C

Jan. 20: Partly Cloudy 2°/-5°C

Jan. 21: 80% Wet Snow 3°/-4°C

Jan. 22: Cloudy 1°/-7°C

Jan. 23: 40% Snow 1°/-7°C

Jan. 24: Cloudy 2°/-7°C

The provincial government is looking to reassure British Columbians of their decision to apply for an exemption from Health Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act amid some public backlash. Following Mayor Mike Goetz’ interview and subsequent story in the Herald regarding the upcoming decriminalization of some illicit drugs on January 31, staff with the provincial Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions reached out to the Herald to provide clarifying informa-

“Decriminalizing people who use drugs is a critical step in our province’s fight against the toxic drug crisis. It will break down the barriers that prevent people from reaching out for help and create new pathways to life-saving services.”

Ministry staff said the Mayor’s comments around the public use of drugs, which he said RCMP will no longer respond to in most cases, were not entirely accurate. The province says police will retain the authority to remove people from private property who are using drugs against the policies of the owners or ten-

“This exemption is just one part of our government’s comprehensive response to the toxic drug crisis which includes expanding treatment and recovery services, harm reduction, and medication assisted treatment,” added Whiteside.

“Decriminalizing people who use drugs does not mean legalizing drugs. Drug trafficking and drug-related offences involving any illegal substances in any amounts remains illegal.”

The exemption will soon take effect for a three year trial period. For more information on the exemption and which drugs fall under it, visit www.canada.ca/en/ health-canada/.

Ministry of Forests discuss logging closures

As mill closures drag on in Merritt, and become permanent in other parts of the province, those in the forestry industry are urging the provincial government to intervene and support the industry. Access to timber is a concern for a number of forestry companies, as many shift or shut down their operations amidst changes in the market. Aspen Planers’ Merritt operations have been temporarily halted since December 2022 due to a lack of approved cutting permits and access to timber, with no end in sight.

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• AquaFirme Medical Facial

Along with the closure of Aspen Planers in Merritt, Vaagen Fibre in Midway, B.C. has indefinitely shut down its operations and laid off 85 employees. Further north, Canfor recently shut down its Prince George pulp line permanently, axing 300 jobs and further signaling an overall downturn in B.C’s forestry industry.

Executives with Aspen Planers previously told the Herald that a lack of access to timber supply, along with an opaque and unnecessarily complicated permitting process for cutting new logs, continue to strangle local operations in the Nicola Valley. The Herald reached out to the Ministry of Forests to ask about the per-

mitting process and support for forestry workers.

“Our hearts go out to the affected workers and their families dealing with curtailments caused by weakening markets and decreasing timber supply from mountain pine beetles and wildfires,” said the Ministry of Forests in a statement to the Herald.

“In the Merritt TSA, this is exceptionally challenging based on the history of mountain pine beetle damage and the 2021 wildfires. In 2021, the annual allowable cut was decreased from 1.5 million cubic meters per year to 1.2 million cubic

See 'PERMITS' Page 5

B.C. announced that effective Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, drug coverage for two medications will be expanded from limited coverage to regular benefit.

The Merritt City Council unanimously passed a motion, at their January 10, 2023 regular meeting, recommending the addition of another light duty bus to Merritt’s fleet.

Province addresses logging permits

From Page 3

meters per year.”

British Columbia’s Forest & Range Practices Act, which regulates the cutting of trees on Crown land, sets out the process for obtaining permits and permissions in regards to provincial forestry practices. The provincial government also sets an Allowable Annual Cut (AAC) for areas across the province, which determines the number of metres cubed of timber may be cut in the region per year. The AAC for Merritt’s forestry area is 1,200,000 m³, and those looking to harvest from that set amount must apply for cutting permits before falling trees.

When asked about the cutting permit process in the Merritt Timber Supply Area (TSA), the Ministry said that most applications for cutting permits are granted within a reasonable timeframe. They were not able to provide clarification on Aspen Planers’ permits in particular, but added that recent data for the district overall shows most permits are

issued quickly.

“The vast majority of cutting permits within the district are issued within 40 days,” added the statement.

“The latest data for the Cascades District indicates that almost 84 percent of these permits were issued in that timeframe.

The Ministry also committed to continued support for forestry workers through the continuation and enhancement of existing programs, such as the Forestry Employment Program, Skills Training for Job Pathways, Rural Business and Community Recovery Initiative, along with retirement bridging or retraining programs. The Community Rapid Response Team will also provide support to affected communities by collaborating with ministries and local organizations.

As for the approval of Aspen Planers’ permit applications, or the length of their closure, executives with the company tell the Herald that it’s up to the government to make the next move.

VIEWPOINT

Filling the gap

Today is a great day to spread some positivity and share a positive exchange. It is easy to slip into a mindset that focuses on the negative – there’s just so much of it out there. Merritt has seen plenty of shootings, hospital closures, economic downturn, and divisive politics in recent months, as the community continues to pull itself back up on its feet following the November 2021 flooding event. While it is easy to feel powerless as we struggle through our recovery, there are ways to support each other and focus on the positive.

In 2023, my goal is to find a way to ‘fill the gap’ as best as I can. Filling the gap can mean a number of things and take a number of forms, but big or small, being there for someone in their time of need is always a positive thing. For example, I recently saw an online posting of someone putting this mindset into action. After losing her father, a young minor hockey player had her skates tied by other dads on the team before every game for years. This real life story of ‘filling the gap’ just reinforced in me the idea that I want to find a way to fill the gap for my family, friends, and community members this year.

Today, I called a friend who has been struggling with their mental health and did exactly what they asked of me – just listened. How can you fill the gap for someone else?

OPINION

LETTERS to the editor

Warming up my mornings at Tim Hortons

Editor,

Visiting the Tim Hortons every morning has become a routine now. It is my first stop every day that charges my day with a classic coffee.

Their warmth and welcoming attitude is another reason to start my day with Tim Hortons at River Ranch Road. I have been enjoying their hospitality for the last year or so. I would like to credit their team for tirelessly doing their best every single day.

It is a bit saddening to learn that their assistant manager Vedang Thakkar is moving out of Merritt to another store location.

He is a wonderful guy and I will miss seeing him in the Drive Thru.

This is just a small token of appreciation to the lovely team at Tim Hortons. Continue doing the good work.

Lots of love, Marilyn Christensen

Joshi: ‘A swift response in addressing hate’

attacks are still prevalent.

I had my first encounter since moving to Merritt on the bus. However, it was commendable of the driver Doug to ensure that the passenger was off the bus immediately when the ugly incident took place earlier last week.

at the other passenger, an Indian girl, to not stare at him. The girl, who was talking on the phone, replied back that she was not staring at him. But the man insisted that she was.

Racism is one of the first concerns when it comes to migration. Attacks on someone’s religion, caste, colour or nationality is one of the worst evils plaguing our society. Despite strictest measures in place, these

There were four passengers (three Indians and a local) on the bus in the morning when the incident happened. As the bus reached City Hall, a local passenger boarded the transport. While taking his seat, he yelled

The person took this offense to another level when he attacked her nationality. “Why don’t you just go back to India? This is my country (Canada),” the local said while screaming and creating a ruckus.

The Indian girl did not hold back and urged the person to stop shouting. Sensing that the incident

is snowballing into a major issue, the driver intervened and ordered the man to get off the bus right away. The person could not believe that the bus driver wasn’t siding with him on this, which made him furious. He asked for his two dollar fare back, but the driver did not pay any heed and urged him to get off the bus again.

He drove the bus only when the rude passenger was off. Doug then apologized to the girl for an unkind experience. He immediately informed the BC

Transit office about the incident and also requested the girl to bring it to the notice of the officials about the incident.

Jamie Weiss, BC Transit’s Senior Media Relations and Public Affairs Advisor, regretted what the passenger had to go through on their bus. In a conversation with the Merritt Herald, Weiss said:

“The safety of our customers and our drivers is our top priority. And we always want to make sure that the bus is a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment

for everybody on board.”

Bus driver Doug later informed me that the passenger apologized for his behavior to him the following day, but he told him that his apology should be directed to that girl and not him.

While racism attacks should be dealt with utmost severity and strictest of punishments, timely actions and interventions from people in charge (in this case Doug) gives us hope that one rotten apple need not necessarily spoil the bunch.

From the Herald archives: January, 1986

CHAMBER FIGHTS TAXES

The Merritt and District Chamber of Commerce joined in the fight against fuel taxes after it received a letter and sample petition from the Quesnel Chamber of Commerce.

Members voted to distribute petitions to service stations for signing between January 29 and February 5, as well as to send a letter to the federal government asking that the petroleum tax be lowered.

LETTERS POLICY

The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor.

Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name and address.

Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.

B.C. announces new supports for internationally educated nurses

After the announcement of the $12 million investment by B.C. to provide bursaries for IENs in April 2022, 5,500 people have expressed interest in working in B.C., with 2,000 people actively working through the various stages of the registration and assessment process. More than 90% of nursing applications received in 2022 by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) came following these changes.

to retain, recruit and train health-care workers, while redesigning the health-care system to foster workplace satisfaction and innovation.

The Province of B.C. announced that it will cover assessment fees, which costs more than $3,700 to remove financial barriers for internationally educated nurses (IENs) who want to work in B.C. The faster and more efficient assessment pathway looks to bring in more nurses to support the B.C. health-care system.

“Supporting nurses is key to our work to making health care accessible to all

British Columbians. Still, the demand for nurses is outpacing the supply,” said Premier David Eby.

“There are talented and skilled nurses with the right experience who want to practice in B.C. and support high-quality care, but they are kept on the sidelines by an expensive and complicated registration process. Whether a nurse was trained in or out of the province, we are ready to welcome those who are ready to care for British Columbians.”

In September 2022, the Province also committed up to $1.3 million to set up a more efficient new pathway for IENs to obtain licensure in B.C. The funding will support BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) and the Nursing Community Assessment Service in creating a new streamlined approach to assessment and registration, so that more IEN applications can be assessed by BCCNM each year. This is expected to reduce the waiting period for nurses looking to work in B.C., from three years to approximately four months to nine months.

This announcement is part of B.C.’s broader Health Human Resources Strategy, which was announced on Sept. 29, 2022. The strategy supports patients by ensuring they get the health services they need and are cared for by a healthy workforce. It focuses on 70 key actions

The province is also providing new financial support to nurses returning to practice after a period of absence. Nurses looking to return to practice will no longer be required to pay a $300 application fee, and more than $4,000 in financial support will be available to cover assessment and eligible travel costs for nurses taking assessments in order to re-enter the workforce.

Nurses returning to practice will also be eligible to access as much as $10,000 in bursaries for any additional education required.

“By removing the barriers for more nurses to join our health-care workforce, we are ensuring that people throughout the province have greater access to the health services they need, when they need them,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.

“Our government will continue to take action to recruit and train more healthcare workers to meet the health-care needs of British Columbians. In creating more accessible careers for nurses in B.C., we are delivering on our commitment to build a sustainable health system for many years to come.”

BCEHS hosts an open house in Merritt

Staffing shortages continue to plague the B.C. healthcare system. The lack of nurses and doctors continue to hinder emergency room operations in many areas in the province, including the Nicola Valley. In addition to ER operations, staffing shortages with the B.C. Emergency Health Services are also in need of more members. More paramedics are needed which is why BCEHS has been on the road conducting open houses in rural and remote areas to recruit locals for their respective ambulance stations.

On Thursday, January 12, BCEHS hosted an open house at the Merritt Ambulance Station. Local residents were invited to drop in for a tour at the station, see the ambulances, get a blood pressure reading, and learn more about the BCEHS career pathway.

“We are looking for skilled staff members in all of our stations,” said BCEHS Indigenous Talents and Acquisition Coordinator Rhiannon Stelmack.

“The goal in getting out to these remote and rural stations is to find locals that want to help, are tied to the community, and want to have a career with BCEHS.”

Stelmack has been on the road, helping facilitate open houses throughout the different areas in the province. A day prior to the Merritt visit, BCEHS conducted and open house in Ashcroft and they will conduct another one in Logan Lake on January 24.

“We’re looking and recruiting actively throughout the entirety of B.C.,” Stelmack noted. “Things have been improving within the last year but we are not nearly where we need to be.”

Currently there are eight full time members out of the 18 people in the Merritt ambulance crew. Station Chief Richard Striemer hopes to raise this number up.

“If anything happens to one of our members right now, we can’t backfill those shifts,” he said. “We’re so short that car (ambulance) would go unfilled. All our part timers are working a lot that they are unable to pick up anymore which creates the need for more staff.”

Two people are required for an ambulance to respond to an emergency. If they are short on staff and unable to respond, Striemer explained that BCEHS would have to send in a unit from Kamloops, which is roughly an hour, depending on road conditions.

“We face this issue all the time, and Kamloops is in worst shape than we are,” said Striemer. “They don’t have enough people either. It’s quite common for them to only have two cars during the night to cover all of Kamloops.”

Roughly 4500 calls each year are received by the Merritt Ambulance Station, with varying consistency of calls.

In discussing the process of recruitment, Stelmack shared the following requirements that interested parties must meet:

• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) ticket

• Class 4 drivers license

• Driver’s abstract

• Criminal record check

• Fitness assessment

“We’ve been doing virtual and in-house presentations about the BCEHS career pathway to show people how to get in and what the opportunities for advancement are,” Stelmack added.

“You can come in as an entry level staff and work your way up to critical care paramedic if that’s what you want to do branch out into our many different departments.”

The search for more people in Merritt, and B.C. overall, continues. Striemer views this first open house as a good start to their recruitment efforts.

“I think the event was successful but we would like to get more people out in the future,” said Unit Chief Richard Streimer

“We had a local resident asking a lot of questions and took some information. We were able to refer him to the hiring process.”

The Merritt Ambulance Station now prepares for a planned appearance in Merritt Secondary School.

“We’re planning to also visit the local high school and get interest from there,” Striemer said. “We’ll try to advertise the events earlier through media so more people know about it ahead of time.”

For more information on opportunities please visit www.bcehs.ca/careers.

Ambulance Unit Chief Richard Striemer shares that it is ideal for them to get more members as it gives them flexibility with members who’d potentially miss their shift. Izaiah Reyes/Herald

When:

Registration

For more infor mation or if you have questions, please contact Collettville Elementary School at 250-378-2230 or email the Principal, Mr Rene Aubin at raubin@365.sd58.bc.ca

Thank you and Welcome to School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen).

NVIT introduces new Chair Hockeyville

The Ministry of Advanced Education initially appointed her to the NVIT board in 2018, going on to serve as an executive member and member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee at NVIT.

Louie is experienced in providing legal and strategic policy advice, legislative drafting, and development of governance structures. In addition, providing advice on a wide range of treaty-related and Aboriginal title and rights issues that benefit her work with NVIT. She also prioritizes a commitment to family and Indigenous communities through various volunteer activities that align closely with her values.

The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology announced on January 13, that there is a new Chair for the Board of Governors. According to a press release by NVIT, board member Melissa Louie was acclaimed as new board chair, effective since November 22, 2022.

Louie is a Coast Salish and Syilx lawyer and a citizen of the Tla’amin nation, located north of Powell River, BC, with family ties to the Penticton Indian Band.

“I am thrilled that Melissa has been acclaimed as the new Board chair for NVIT,” said NVIT President Ken Tourand.

“Melissa has been on the Board for five years and is passionate about NVIT, our students, and Indigenous Education in general. As we embark on a new 5 year strategic plan I look forward to working with Melissa and the whole board as we continue to provide a quality Indigenous learning experience for our students.”

A well known annual contest, called ‘Kraft Hockeyville,’ has awarded $4.5 million to 93 Canadian communities in its 17 years of existence, with hopes to address growing costs associated with aging sports and recreation infrastructure. The grand prize winner for 2023 will be given the opportunity to host an NHL preseason game, along with a cheque for $250,000 to be used towards arena upgrades. Three runner ups will

receive $25,000 each. Merritt has a shot at being one of those winners, with the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (NVMA) only in need of a few more nomination stories to officially be in the running before entries close. Hundreds of communities enter annually, with Merritt entering numerous times before. For more information, visit www.hockeyville. kraftcanada.ca.

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Lyttle to close practice

The Nicola Valley will soon be down a doctor, with general practitioner Dr. Morgan Lyttle announcing that he will close his practice in Merritt as early as April 2023. An official date has not been set for the closure of Lyttle’s practice, which is within The Medical Clinic on Charters Street, as a replacement and possible locum coverage are sought.

Merritt currently has six doctors with local practices, including Lyttle, along with fellow Medical Clinic doctors Dr. Drew Soderberg and Dr. Patrick Goetz. The Nicola Valley Medical Centre on Granite Avenue is home to Dr. Duncan Ross and Dr. Donald McLeod, with Dr. Paul Simon also having a local practice at Mountain Medical Clinic in the Railyard Mall. With Lyttle announcing his imminent departure, Merritt could soon be down to five physicians.

“The date is not set exactly, depending on availability, there may be locum coverage through the end of June,” said Lyttle in a letter posted by office staff to a local Facebook group.

“We are always working on recruiting new physicians, if a physician becomes available to take over this practice, a notification will be provided immediately.”

The Herald reached out to Lyttle for comment and was advised by office staff that he was currently unavailable until January 30.

Lyttle’s upcoming departure comes amidst a number of healthcare troubles

in the Nicola Valley, including a number of emergency department closures at the Nicola Valley Hospital. Efforts to find a replacement for Lyttle are ongoing. The provincial government recently announced new wage incentives for doctors in B.C, along with the expansion of a program that trains internationally educated physicians who hope to practice in the province.

The healthcare pinch can be felt across the province, especially in rural and remote communities that have a harder time recruiting healthcare professionals and maintaining adequate staffing levels. Lyttle’s clients are now left to find a new family doctor, or rely on other healthcare providers. Those who are currently patients with Lyttle will continue to be able to access their medical records.

“If you have any medical records or documents that you would like to receive before the practice closes please let us know as soon as possible,” added Lyttle in his letter.

“If a replacement physician is not found, medical records will still be available through a third party.”

Lyttle presented several options for ongoing healthcare needs in his letter, including the use of telemedicine service such as Telus Health, which connects patients with family physicians through a video chat. Those needing an in person examination, or emergency medical care, should visit the Urgent Care Clinic at Kamloops’ Royal Inland Hospital, or the Nicola Valley Hospital’s emergency department.

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

SEI Logistics awarded tax credits for portable solar panel

A local solar energy specialist has received a government incentive after their innovation in the energy sector.

Tax incentive consultancy Catax reveals that the Merritt based SEI logistics secured $39,463 in tax credits after developing a portable solar panel that can be used in remote and harsh environments.

One of the primary sources of investment that the Government of Canada gives to businesses and organizations operating in this sector is the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) program. This tax incentive for innovation allows businesses to claim back expenses incurred on research and development (R&D) activity.

“Knowing we can rely on SR&ED has completely energized our whole approach to innovation. The benefits it brings mean we’re investing more in R&D than ever before,” said SEI Logistics CEO Eric Little.

“Making the most of the SR&ED program is therefore a key part of our strategy but, at first, it can be difficult to gauge what qualifies. The process was a smooth one and we now know what to look for

and record so that we get every cent we’re owed. It has become a key part of how we cost our projects and decide which activities are worth proceeding with.”

The incentive is made up of a combination of federal and provincial funding. Not every cost associated with R&D can be included in a claim, however the main qualifying expenses include staff costs, salaries, materials, as well as payments to contractors and third parties.

SEI has been operating in the renewable energy sector since 2018. One of the company’s key objectives was to ensure that solar panels could be used by those living and working in areas with environmental and geological challenges that make traditional energy sources difficult to access.

The company also needed to make sure they could be deployed almost anywhere — a challenge given that most solar arrays require cranes for installation. The company developed a foldable, modular design to solve this problem, which isn’t something the solar industry has attempted before.

“SEI Logistics is carrying out essential work by ensuring that people living and working in some

of the most challenging environments of Canada have access to a reliable and green source of energy, and this technology will have uses far beyond the oil and gas industry,” Richard Hoy, President of specialist R&D tax incentive consultancy Catax Canada said.

“This is a perfect example of what SR&ED is designed to support, furthering technical knowledge in the fight against climate change, while also overcoming everyday challenges people face in the far north of the country.”

Prior to this development, there were no structures with solar panels in Canada that could harness as much energy, while still being able to move around without permanent fixtures. This tech will have uses in the future far beyond just the oil and gas industry.

Cents play West Kelowna Warriors for Family Literacy Night

The Merritt Centennials had a split weekend, bringing home one win before losing their second game of the week at home. The team hit the road for a game in Salmon Arm against the Silverbacks on Friday, winning 5-4, before taking a 6-4 loss at home to the West Kelowna Warriors during Family Literacy Night.

Johnny Hicks started in goal for the Cents for their first game of the week, with Carter Richardson starting for Salmon Arm. The first period was action packed, with the Cents opening up scoring with Jaxson Murray’s 12th goal of the season at the 5:21 mark. Just one minute later,

newly-signed Centennial Dylan Emerson scored his first BCHL goal to make it 2-0 for the Cents. The Silverbacks wouldn’t let this stand for long, with forward Nathan Mackie finding the back of the Cents net at the 12:32 to make the score 2-1. Salmon Arm’s Ethan Ullrick would equalize the score with just two minutes left in the period for a 2-2 game. The second period was dominated by the Centennials, with another Jaxson Murray goal kicking things off just three minutes in. Jackson Krill would add another point with a goal at the 6:44 mark, making it a 4-2 hockey game for the Centennials. The rest of the period was fairly uneventful, with Matthew Tovell replacing Carter Richardson in goal for the Silverbacks, along with a number of penalties that lead to uncapitalized power plays. With twelve seconds left in the second period, Jaxson Murray would score again for the Cents, completing his hat trick and making the score 5-2. The third and final period leaned more towards the Silverbacks, who ultimately fell short of the comeback. Hayden Stavroff opened up the scoring by sneaking one past Hicks at the 4:44 mark, for a score of 5-3. The final goal of the night would be at the 9:46 mark, with Ryan Gillespie, assisted by former Centennial Tristan Allen, scoring for a final score of 5-4 for the Centennials. Johnny Hicks saved 53/57 in the win.

With two points in their back pocket from the previous evening’s win, the Cents settled back in on home ice to take on the West Kelowna Warriors for Family Literacy Night. In addition to the regular hockey action, players and attendees participated in literacy games, donated books, and promoted the importance of literacy for all ages. The game started with a bang for West Kelowna, who dominated the first period. Less than two minutes into the first, Warriors forward Felix Caron scored against Johnny Hicks to make it a 1-0 game. Just five minutes later, the Warriors lead would improve to 2-0 with a goal by Brennan Nelson. The rest of the period was heavy in defense, with the exception of another Warriors goal to finish out the first period’s scoring and make it a 3-0 game for West Kelowna. Defenseman Jonathan Wong, a Centennials affiliate player, scored his first ever BCHL goal and the first Cents goal of the night at the 4:07 mark, heralding the start of an attempted comeback. Following a boarding call against Ben MacDonald, the Cents were able to capitalize on the resulting power play and make the score 3-2 with a goal by Erik Sollied. After more defensive back and forth play, Mark Thurston scored again for the Centennials, equalizing the score and scoring what would be the last goal of the period for

a 3-3 tied game. The third period was a chance at a comeback for Merritt, but served only to seal the Cents’ fate. West Kelowna made the score 4-3 just 1:18 into the third with a goal by Luke Devlin. The next action would come following a tripping call against the Cents’ #27, which led to a power play goal by the Warriors for a 5-3 score. The Cents would reply with a goal of their own by Mark Thurston at the 11:22 mark, bringing the score to 5-4. With the game on the line, the Cents gave a solid effort to tie the score, even pulling goalie Hicks to allow for an extra man on the ice. Jaiden Moriello would score the final goal of the night for the Warriors, an empty net goal at the 19:03 mark. Final score 6-4 for the Warriors, with the Cents’ Johnny Hicks saving 50/56 in the loss.

The Centennials will take a break this week, with the BCHL focusing their attention on their annual Top Prospects and All Star games. Centennials Aleksey Chichkin, Jackson Krill, and Diego Johnson have been selected to participate in a number of games each. For more information, visit www.bchl.ca.

The Cents are back in action with a game against West Kelowna on January 25, followed by a game on home ice against the Silverbacks on Friday, January 27.

As the old Canadian saying goes, when life gives you road closures, start a hockey game. Or something to that effect. This was the mindset of the players and parents of Merritt’s U9 minor hockey team, who found themselves stranded following a game in nearby Princeton this weekend. While waiting roughly an hour for

the highway to reopen from avalanche prevention work, the team and parents made the most of the situation by hosting an impromptu hockey game.

Following a regular season game for Merritt’s U9 Red Team in Princeton this past weekend, players and parents found themselves on the wrong side of a road closure between them and Merritt. After settling in for their wait at Taylor Lake rest area, a grandpar-

ent suggested a good old fashioned game of street hockey in the parking lot.

“We came around the corner, and the road was closed,” said Megan Paquette, a parent with the U9 team.

“We got the details from YRB and it wasn’t really gonna be that long of a wait, so the kids just decided that we would park in the parking area of the rest stop, and

Merritt Bowling Centre competes at Inter Cities

• Larry Antoine

• Stu Jackson Women’s B

• Audrey Hogan

• Kayla Even

• Jasmine Pinto

• Helena Price

• Janie Okino

Being a long time bowler, Stirling said that Merritt has been in a slump recently but Kamloops has historically been good to Merritt teams.

From Page 18

one of the grandpas suggested that the kids get their sticks out.”

‘the funnest part of today was playing street hockey on the highway,’” added Paquette with a laugh.

On December 4, 2022, the Merritt Bowling Centre hosted the Interior Trials.

The series of 10 games helped form the groups that will represent the local bowling centre for the upcoming Inter City A and B Championships.

The Interior Trials took place last month at the Merritt Bowling Centre. There were 10 men and 10 women who competed in the trials for a spot at either the Inter City A or Inter City B Championships.

“It was a great tournament,” said

Richard ‘Digz’ Stirling, player for the Inter City A Men’s Team. “There were mixed reviews of performances as some were very happy with theirs while others weren’t.”

The top six finishers for both mens and womens made up the team that will be sent to Kamloops on March 17-18 for the Inter City A tournament. The bottom five finishers in both categories will stay home and compete at the Inter City B Championships on February 11.

The following list is the result of

the trials: Men’s A

• Bill Campbell

• Mark Pattison

• Joey Lonsdale

• Richard Stirling

• Stu Jackson

• Harold Aljam Women’s A

• Doreen Nikkel

• Deb Tansca

• Janie Okino

• Crystal Chandler

• Kristina Johnson

• Helen Campbell Men’s B

• Steve Austin

• Dan Collins

• Rick McLeod

“The level of competition here in Merritt is pretty good,” said Stirling, who is also a qualifying member of the men’s A team. “I think the team that we have this year for both mens and ladies are definitely capable of doing great things in Kamloops.”

The Inter City A championships will be a two day event beginning on March 17.

There will be three categories for the tournament: men’s, women’s and mixed.

The best performers from the men’s and women’s categories will be combined to form the mixed team.

“The last couple of years have been a struggle,” he said. “Before the pandemic we were able to send a team that finished in the middle of the pack. However, Merritt won everything the last time the championships were held in Kamloops, which was about seven years ago.”

The Inter City B Championships will be a one day event held at the Merritt Bowling Centre. Teams all over the Interior will take part in the competition, including cities like Kamloops, Vernon, and Chase.

For more information on the event please call Merritt Bowling Centre at (250) 378-5252

In addition to practicing their stickhandling with a makeshift puck, a ball of sock tape, U9’s players learned that waiting doesn’t always need to be boring. The casual game allowed the young players to connect with their teammates, enjoy the fresh air, and give a show for others also waiting for the highway to reopen.

“All of the kids were beaming, and my kid said to me,

“I think lots of the people in the long lineup of cars found it quite entertaining as well, they all sort of watched from their cars. It was super fun.”

Despite the closure, exhaustion after an hour out on the actual ice, and the chilly weather, the parents and players of Merritt’s U9 team showed that Canadians can make the most out of any situation, especially with some hockey sticks and friends nearby.

COMMUNITY

Do you have a community story idea? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing reporter@merrittherald.com.

Food Bank and Save on Foods to host upcoming ‘Fill the Freezer’

and hopefully we can get some meat.”

In addition to adding meat and other frozen items to the freezer on site at Save On Foods in the Railyard Mall, those doing their grocery shopping January 27 to 29 will be able to donate funds at the till as well. Funds raised this way will be given back in gift card form to the food bank, which purchases a number of its products from local grocery stores.

While meat is their main need, Hewton added that the food bank is accepting all frozen and freezable goods during the three day fundraiser. She added that the food bank recognizes times are tough for many in the current economic environment, and is appreciative of any and all donations, big or small.

Nicola Valley and District Food Bank, including donation and volunteering opportunities, visit www.nicolavalleyfoodbank.com, or call 250-378-2282. The food bank is located at 2026 Quilchena Avenue, and is currently open Tuesday through Thursday.

The Nicola Valley and District Food Bank are partnering up with a local grocery store to collect donations of frozen goods amidst an unexpected downturn in donations, coupled with an increase in the food bank’s client base. The food bank is a non-profit organization that relies on community donations, grants, and fundraisers to keep operations running smoothly.

Food bank staff told the Herald that donations have dipped in recent months, which is unusual for this time of year. This

has left the food bank to cut back on portion sizes of meat given to clients, among other cost saving measures. Meat is a main need of the organization currently, and organizers are hopeful this fundraiser will fill the freezer with exactly what it needs.

“The donations have been down, and our freezers are pretty empty,” said Derlanda Hewton, manager of the food bank.

“Save on Foods and I talked yesterday, and they want us to do a ‘fill the foodbank freezer’ event. We’re going to take a freezer to Save On for January 27, 28, and 29,

Award Winning

“We’re accepting any frozen goods, but we’re really hoping for the meat,” added Hewton.

“It means everything to us. With the support of the grocery stores here in town, we’ve been able to keep up with the rise in the number of clients, and provide them with more healthy choices.”

For more information on the

THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WEL COME YOU

Crossroads Community Church 2990 Voght St • 250-378-2911

Ser vice Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m

Merritt Baptist Church 2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Omre)

Sunday ser vice 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464

Merritt Lutheran Fellowship in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899

Ser vice Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:00 p m

Sacred Hear t Catholic Church Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919

DermaSpark, an equipment supplier of Local Spa Desert Divas and Dons recently won the education award for the Canadian Spa and Wellness Awards 2022. Desert Divas are outfitted with exclusive DermaSpark machinery making the spa class leading in the country. Photo/ Desert Divas

Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

St. Michael’s Anglican Church 1990 Chapman St • 250-378-3772

Ser vice Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.

Trinity United Church Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735

Ser vice Time ever y Sunday - 10 am

Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. ( The Cadet Hall)

Sunday Ser vice Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268

Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church 1950 Max well St • 250-378-9502

Ser vice Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Terry Simpson

June 5, 1953 - January 12, 2023

Terry left us Thursday, to join loved ones already in the presence of Jesus Terry passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife and dearest friend Christine at his side

Born Terence Earl Simpson in Quesnel, BC

He is survived by his wife Christine, son Travis, daughter Twila, grandson Ethan, brother Fred, (Bev) and many friends and extended family

Predeceased by his parents Norman and Helen Simpson, 10 brothers and sisters and his nephew Len.

He will be missed for his strong sense of family, kind and generous heart, and great sense of humor

A celebration for life will be held at NVEF Church, 1950 Maxwell Ave., Merritt on Saturday, February 18th at 1:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Heart and Lung Foundation or Impact Ministries Guatemala

10:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

Route ME16, Clapper ton, Coldwater, Douglas, Houston, Pr iest 78 Papers Diamond Vale Area

Route ME17, Blair, Clapper ton, Coldwater, Houston, May, Or me, Pr iest. 76 Papers. Diamond Vale Area.

Route ME27, Chapman, Cleasby, Granite, Spr ing 63 Papers Across from Post Office

Route ME31, 1st, Chapman, Cleasby, Fairway, Langley, Merr itt, Nicola 108 Papers Cit y Hall Area to Fire Hall to River

Route ME41, Blair, Char ters, Granite, Nicola, Quilchena 49 Papers Bet ween Merr itt Funeral and Canco

Route ME70 & ME38. Ir vine, Cressy, For ksdale. 76 Papers Bench Area

Route ME25, Canford, Cleasby, Coldwater, Hamilton, Spr ing, Wilson. 120 Papers. Central Area.

Route ME26, Main & Quilchena 55 Papers West Side Of Town

CURRENT JOB OPPOR TUNITIES

We are currently inviting applications for the position(s) of:

POSITION JOB CODE CLOSING DATE

Computer Tech 1/2 3353563 Open Until Filled

Fir st Nations Suppor t Worker 3259682 Ongoing

Af ter School Program Coordinator - Merritt 3351285 Open Until Filled

Temporar y Education Assistant – 3349961 Open Until Filled

Merritt Secondar y School 3336417 3368916

Strong Star t Coordinator 3256009 Open Until filled

Relief Education Assistant 3259613 Ongoing

Af ter School Program Assistant 3353582 Open Until Filled

Relief Clerk Typist 3256003 Ongoing

Relief Custodian 3259601 Ongoing

Relief Bus Driver 3255978 Ongoing

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.makeafuture.ca/bcschools-and-districts/nicola-similkameen-school-district-no-58/ All applicants must provide a cover letter and resume outlining relevant background and work experience and three (3) professional references for each position they want to be considered

Only those applicants selected for an inter view will be contacted

DESCRIPTION: Repor ting to Social Development Coordinator, the Homemaker is responsible for providing homemaking ser vices to clients.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Homemaking includes:

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